한국 영유아 교육·보육 패널 연구 2022

Abstract

□ Backgrounds and Purpose of study - Multifaceted and complex developmental trajectory are known to affect children’s healthy growth and development. - Therefore, a longitudinal approach for childhood growth is required with time-dimension from the beginning of life to the grown-up and furthermore, multi surroundings from the utero environment to community levels. - Korean Early Childhood Education and Care Panel study (K-ECEC study) was designed to collect information on educational and child-care-related factors for a decade from the children’s early stage of life. - Particularly, K-ECEC study is aimed to assess child-rearing policies and to maximize its utilization and value by including children from sub populations such as low-income family, multi-cultural family, and twins children.

□ Research Methods - According to Sample design and sampling strategy, K-ECEC panels were collected by April, 2022 and Basic Survey I and II were completed and descriptively analyzed. In addition, a survey for mothers of newborns at 1 month old was conducted using Korean Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. - The scope and variables of the 1st year survey targeting at 4-month olds were confirmed and three sets of questionnaires were finalized for child’s main caretaker, mother, and father. Furthermore, feasibility test was conducted for Korean Infant/Toddler version of the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (K-IT-HOME). - The 1st year survey is on going by the trained interviewers and the survey is expected to conclude by the end of this year. After finalizing the 1st year survey, processes of data cleaning, missing data adjustment, sampling weight generation will be performed and the database will be ready to release to the public in sometime later.

□ Results ∙ The final number of recruited pregnant women(households) were 3,380 and pregant women from multi-cultural families and low-income households were 95(2.8%) and 72(2.1%) respectively. Among 3,380 households, twin birth was 40 cases and the number of twin birth is expected to increase at the termination of the 1st year survey. - Regional distribution of 3,380 pregnant women were in Seoul 521(15.4%), Kyounggi/ Incheon 1,037 (30.7%), Daejeon/ Sejong/ Chungcheong/ Gangwon 365(10.8%), Daegu/ Gyeongbuk 409(12.1%), Busan/ Ulsan/ Gyeongnam 572(16.9%), Gwangu/ Jeolla/ Jeju 476(14.1%). ∙ According to Basic Survey I and II, following descriptive information was achieved ; mean age of recruited women (32.4 year old), and household income 301-00 million won(47.9%), and the first birth order(62.1%), employed mother (56.4%), college graduates (53.6%). and planned pregnancy (77.6%).

□ Policy Suggestions and future agenda ∙ Based on the analytic results using Basic Survey I and II, following issues should be considered. - According to current status and characteristics of recruited pregnant women and households, specified approach should be delivered into the implication according to the age of pregnant mother, household income (especially low-income households), employment status, and etc. - In addition, differentiated approach should be developed to multi-cultural families, low-income households, and twin panels. ∙ K-ECEC study was launched in 2021 and the birth of infant panels was in 2022. In 2023, the 2nd year survey will be on going. - After the completion of the 1st year survey, the strategies for maintaining and managing the panels should prepared as well as disclosure of Basic Survey I and II for the 1st academic conference in 2023. - In the meantime, variables and survey tools should be developed and confirmed for the 2nd year survey scheduled in 2023. - Therefore, promoting activities to maintain the survey participants should be prepared along with achievement of academic knowledge and evidences for developing adequate policies.